Request to Include 30 Day Dead Pixel Guarantee in Laptop Sales.

[steaky360]

Like others, I am a bit surprised that the screen is passed on to non insured purchasers, especially as we were reassured on the forum that this wouldn't happen as it would involve too much work to change the screen in the testing stage.

That has not been confirmed.

On the note of the delay however, 11 working days in testing is a VERY long time, I'd probably consider getting in touch with them regardless to see what's up, most likely something failed and was replaced but 11 working days is still a long time.

 

[Rakk]

Like others, I am a bit surprised that the screen is passed on to non insured purchasers, especially as we were reassured on the forum that this wouldn't happen .

This is pure speculation from Annula.

And on that note, as I said earlier in the thread, if libellous speculation is still occuring in this thread, posts will get deleted/edited or the thread will be closed just like the other one!

 

[halox]

I had suspected this, as it makes good business sense. It keeps the prices reasonable with selling Class II screens. It really depends now on the exact figures of failure and how many people take out the Insurance.

I think the estimate of 10% is too high. When I listen to the recording back it sounds like 10% and my wife thinks it is 10% too.

To put it in perspective. In an example of 1000 laptop screens. If I use the earlier link, where on entry level machines 1% have dead pixels. Higher spec machines have 0.3% failure rate. For this example I will use 0.5% and split the difference and to keep the maths easy

If no one takes out the Insurance then, 5 of that 1000 people will get a dead pixel upon delivery.

If 500 people take out the Insurance then 10 people in the 1000 will get a dead pixel at delivery.

Those figures are so low people would be forgiven for not taking out the Insurance.

 

[daveeb]

That has not been confirmed.

On the note of the delay however, 11 working days in testing is a VERY long time, I'd probably consider getting in touch with them regardless to see what's up, most likely something failed and was replaced but 11 working days is still a long time.

I spoke to them last night when i added the pixel insurance. I mentioned it had gone straight into building then testing within 2 days but was still there now. He mentioned something about all the test benches being busy (did sound a bit odd) but he put a note on my account to dispatch it by Friday as i have Saturday delivery. No mention of any problems specific to the pc so i'll just have to take it at face value and see what happens.

 

[Rakk]

I'm basing my statements on what Halox posted. I have not at any point said it is what happens and have in fact only asked if we can get clarification from PCS one way or the other to avoid speculating.

However the way you stated it made it sound like fact which can damage PCS's reputation which is against forum rules.
This happened in the other thread and this one, and as you could see daveeb took your statement as fact because you stated it so it sounded like fact, please when making such comments make it obvious that it is not fact.

 

[halox]

I have said before if anyone wants link to the recording I will happily send them it via PM. I have no intention of posting it here. I asked the guy loads of questions regarding this but only quoted the key points.

I think people are missing the facts though. PCS, as does most other suppliers only supply Class II screens. PCS give you the option of additional cover at a sensible price. Some other companies will also provide this at a cost.

In the T's and C's it clearly states Class II screens are supplied. I did not read that before this started as I am sure others missed too. If you want a 100% guarantee of getting a defect free screen then it will cost you the Insurance cost, whatever it may be, £10?

Give me a T-shirt too. No need to delete posts though. We are all being good here.

 

[Annula]

However the way you stated it made it sound like fact which can damage PCS's reputation which is against forum rules.
This happened in the other thread and this one, and as you could see daveeb took your statement as fact because you stated it so it sounded like fact, please when making such comments make it obvious that it is not fact.

I tried to ensure it did not sound like fact, but as daveeb may have taken a post to suggest that and to avoid any repeat I've deleted the posts and left only the one that has copious amounts of if/may/could. I've also emailed PCS and asked for clarification on what happens to screens that had a dead pixel detected during QA for an insured customer. Hopefully they treat them the same as a screen that is returned by a customer under the guarantee.

Hopefully the posts that remain make it clear enough that I'm questioning and not stating anything as fact. If not, feel free to edit further.

 

[Rakk]

I tried to ensure it did not sound like fact, but I'll accept that I may have failed at that based on daveeb's post. To avoid any issues, I'll delete my posts until I've heard back from PCS where I've asked for clarification on what happens to screens that had a dead pixel detected during QA for an insured customer.

You don't need to delete, possibly just re-word

 

[Annula]

You don't need to delete, possibly just re-word

I think my original post covered the question enough anyway, the remainder of the posts didn't really add much to the discussion so I doubt they'll be missed

 

[halox]

To clarify as some people are getting a bit cafuddled!

PCS check the screens when they come in. Any with a dead pixels (but within the ISO rejection) are sent to a customer with no Insurance. The ones with dead pixels should never find their way on to a laptop of a customer with Insurance. If it is missed then you are Insured for a replacement screen.

Remember though, the likelihood is so small that you will receive a noticeable dead pixel it is hardly worth bothering about. If you want to take the risk then you have an estimated 5 in 1000 chance of getting one. If you are 100% against getting a dead pixel then you would take out the Insurance.

 

[nathanjrb]

Just to throw a bit of Deadpixelception into the mix - what if I told you PCS had Dead Pixel Insurance

 

[DeadEyeDuk]

Just to throw a bit of Deadpixelception into the mix - what if I told you PCS had Dead Pixel Insurance

Mind. Sploded.

 

[halox]

Just to throw a bit of Deadpixelception into the mix - what if I told you PCS had Dead Pixel Insurance

That's a great idea. [rollinglaugh]

 

[Annula]

To clarify as some people are getting a bit cafuddled!

PCS check the screens when they come in. Any with a dead pixels (but within the ISO rejection) are sent to a customer with no Insurance. The ones with dead pixels should never find their way on to a laptop of a customer with Insurance. If it is missed then you are Insured for a replacement screen.

My point about increased risk may or may not apply then. It all depends how after testing the screens, they select one when an order comes in with and without insurance.

If screens with no dead pixels are in any way marked as such so that they can be selected for insured customers, then the pool available to non insured customers is going to contain a greater number of panels with dead pixels than if panels were just selected the same for insured and non-insured and dead pixel checking done during QA/Testing and the offending panels binned for insured customers.

Will have to wait and see what PCS say in response to my email and follow ups.

 

[dogbot]

It is time to put things in perspective. ScreenTek (not in competition with PCS) is a company you might go to if your 3 year warranty with PCS has run out. Here I am using it as a reference.

It gives the Industry LCD quality standards http://www.screentekinc.com/lcd-quality-standards.shtml ScreenTek's own standard warranty is the same as PCS in allowing 2 dead pixels and both companies have a better policy towards dead pixels than the other major manufacturers quoted (without looking at the detail). ScreenTek also have a paid for Premium warranty where no dead pixels are guaranteed when shipped but (and note this) up to 2 dead pixels are still allowed during the warranty period. Some might argue that is not much of a warranty.

The PCS dead pixel warranty is

Dead Pixel Guarantee



Every notebook screen we supply complies with ISO-9241-302, 303, 305, 307:2008 with regards to pixel defects. However, the ISO standard allows for pixel defects and neither the manufacturer nor supplier can be held liable for defects that fall within the ISO standard.

Dead pixels can be frustrating, especially when you have bought an expensive high specification laptop. Therefore, in order to protect customers against a possible dead pixel we have created two very reasonably priced packages to protect against dead pixels.

Should you report a dead pixel within the specified time period on your chosen dead pixel guarantee, we will collect the laptop from your premises and replace the screen with a defect free model of equal or better specification. Collection and re-delivery charges are also included along with all labour fees, and the service can be used an unlimited number of times during the guarantee period.

The dead pixel guarantee commences on the day you receive your order and any dead pixels must be reported within the guarantee time period in order to qualify for replacement.

Screens that are cracked, damaged or broken are not covered under the dead pixel guarantee regardless of how many pixels are not functioning.

This guarantee does not cover external monitors purchased, only the notebook screen itself is covered.

where

ISO-9241-302, 303, 305, 307:2008 pixel defects[edit]

Of particular interest to the lay computer user are the definitions of flat-panel TV and monitor pixel defects provided in the ISO-9241-3xx series of standards (which renders obsolete ISO 13406-2). These identify three classes for measuring pixel defects in flat panel monitors:
Class 0 panels are completely defect-free, including no full pixel or sub-pixel defects.
Class 1 panels permit any or all of the following: 1 full bright (“stuck on white”) pixel
1 full dark (“stuck off”) pixel
2 single or double bright or dark sub-pixels
3 to 5 “stuck on” or “stuck off” sub-pixels (depending on the number of each)

Class 2 panels permit any or all of the following: 2 full bright pixels
2 full dark pixels
5-10 single or double bright or dark sub-pixels (again, depending on the number of each; no more than 5 bright (“stuck on”) subpixels are permitted).

Class 3 panels permit any or all of the following: 5 full bright pixels
15 full dark pixels
50 single or double sub-pixels stuck on or off

From the above I would say that the PCS dead pixel warranty is better than anything else out there. In particular, the paid for insurance guarantees not only 0 dead pixels on delivery but also throughout the warranty period. In addition the warranty period can be either 30 days or 12 months

So what are the chances of getting a dead pixel. From Halox's link they are roughly .05% to .01% or 1 in 2000-10000. Certainly it is the sort of odds where anyone selecting 'None' would probably get away with it. However, the number of customers adversely affected also depends on how many actually do opt for the dead pixel warranty and only PCS know how many that is. If the percentage is large then the system PCS has implemented is working and the effect of having dead pixels is generally understood. If, despite the 'help' information in the configurator, the percentage is small, then human nature has taken over. The natural impulse is to immediately start configuring the PC of choice and items further down the list sometimes do not get a second glance (I initially did it myself). Nevertheless the choice is there should the customer require it.

Finally, PCS could eliminate the possibility of anyone having dead pixels by having the 30 day pixel insurance as the default shown in the 'Dead Pixel guarantee'. At least if anyone selects 'None' they would have no one else to blame but themselves.

 

[nathanjrb]

 

[Annula]

View attachment 4961

lol, that explains why pixels die after you've had a monitor a while.

 

[DeadEyeDuk]

View attachment 4961

I just. I don't. My brain was just recovering from Deadpixelception!

 

[Tom DWC]

It's an interesting idea.

To be honest, I don't see a problem with it as an opt-in extra, though of course, people can and will miss it. If it was opt-out rather than opt-in some people would complain about that instead, and if it were built into the price I'm sure some people would moan about that too, so it's a bit of a tricky one from that standpoint.

I wouldn't mind paying an extra £10 but I'd rather not given the odds are so low. I actually have a dodgy pixel on my new Cosmos but it doesn't show up against blacks and whites so isn't anywhere near as noticeable as it might be. It sounds like from the thread being referenced here, that individual got really unlucky at the worse end of the spectrum.

I don't think there's any such thing as a perfect monitor, spent enough time looking recently and unless you spend silly money it just doesn't exist. If it's not dead pixels it's backlight bleed, if it's not that it's poor viewing angles, if it's not that it's IPS glow, if it's not that the response time sucks, if... yeah. So really, have to blame the screen/monitor industry for setting the bar so low.

 

[Karnor00]

I would also point out that there is always the option to return a laptop within 7 days of receipt, by incurring a charge of £36.

So a customer can either pay £10 up front for a dead pixel warranty, or accept the risk and pay £36 to return the PC if they can't live with a dead pixel.